The Road Back to You

The tension from their last encounter still lingered in the air as Violet arrived at the office, her steps slower than usual due to her injured ankle. She had insisted on coming to work despite Ethan's clear warning. The moment he spotted her struggling to walk across the room, his jaw clenched.

"Told you she wouldn't listen. She's got a stubborn streak wider than your patience," Jade, ever the instigator, muttered and smirked as he walked past Ethan's office.

Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he strode out of his office, his expression unreadable. "Violet. My office. Now."

"What? Why? Is this suddenly your everyday line? MY OFFICE. NOW," Violet blinked up at him, feigning innocence. 

His gaze dropped to her injured foot before snapping back to hers. "Now."

With an exaggerated sigh, she followed him inside. The door shut behind her, and before she could react, Ethan had stepped closer, his presence looming over her.

"Are you out of your mind?" he demanded, his voice low, controlled but only barely. "You're supposed to be resting. You can't even walk properly."

"I can take care of myself, Ethan. It's just a small injury, not the end of the world," Violet crossed her arms. 

His jaw tightened, and before she could protest further, he grabbed a chair and made her sit down. "You're reckless."

"And you're overbearing," she scoffed. 

"You frustrate the hell out of me, Violet," Ethan exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. 

"Good. That makes two of us," she smirked despite the tension crackling between them. 

Before he could reply, a knock on the door interrupted them. Jade peeked in, grinning. "Hate to break up whatever is going on here, but dinner plans tonight? My birthday, remember?" He looked between them, his smirk deepening. "Or should I leave you two to…whatever this is?"

Violet, still very much aware of Ethan's proximity, jumped up, only to wince as pain shot up her ankle. Ethan instinctively reached out to steady her, his hands firm on her waist. Their eyes locked. Too close. Too intense.

"Right. I'll take that as a yes. See you both at dinner," Jade coughed dramatically. 

The restaurant was dimly lit, filled with the warm hum of laughter and conversation. Violet, looking stunning despite her injury, sat next to Jade, laughing at his ridiculous stories. Ethan, sitting across from her, watched with an unreadable expression.

Maddie, of course, was there too, throwing smug glances Violet's way whenever she could. But for once, Violet didn't let it get to her. She was having fun, genuine fun.

Until she realized Ethan was watching her. Closely.

Jade noticed too. He leaned in and whispered, "Boss man's staring. Think he's jealous?"

"Ethan doesn't get jealous," Violet rolled her eyes. 

"Oh, sweetheart. You really have no idea, do you?" Jade chuckled. 

Before she could respond, a waiter arrived with drinks. Jade, ever the mischief-maker, subtly poured an extra splash of something strong into Ethan's glass, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Ethan took a sip. And then another. And then another.

After dinner, the group moved to a bar nearby to continue celebrating. Ethan, never one to indulge too much, had been steadily drinking thanks to Jade's antics. He wasn't drunk, but he was relaxed, too relaxed for someone like him.

Violet had never seen him like this. He leaned back in his seat, his usual guarded expression softened. His laughter, rich and deep, came easier. He looked… different.

"You're staring," Ethan murmured, his gaze locked onto hers.

"No, I'm not," Violet blinked. 

"Liar," he smirked, leaning forward. 

Before she could argue, Jade nudged Ethan's arm. "You good, boss? You're looking kinda—"

"Happy?" Ethan finished, surprising even himself. He turned back to Violet. "Maybe I am."

Her heart stuttered.

A few minutes later, Ethan stood, stretching before holding his hand out toward her. "Dance with me."

"You don't dance," she hesitated. 

"Maybe I do," he tilted his head, his gaze a little too intense. 

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten. Against her better judgment, she took his hand.

Somehow, in the midst of all the teasing and laughter, Ethan found himself on the dance floor with Violet. The soft melody played around them, and despite their usual arguments, they moved in sync, his hand firm on her waist, hers resting lightly on his chest.

"Are you… relaxed? Since when do you dance?" Violet arched a brow. 

"Since you won't stop looking at me like that," Ethan let out a low chuckle, his grip on her waist tightening slightly. 

"Like what?" She blinked. 

"Like you want me to do something about it," his lips tilted into a smirk, but his gaze was hooded, unfocused yet intense. 

Violet's breath hitched. This wasn't like Ethan. He was always composed, always controlled. But now? Now he was loose, his words softer, bolder, unguarded.

Jade, watching from the table, stifled a laugh.

"Ethan… how much did you drink?" Violet swallowed, trying to steady her pulse. 

"Not enough. Not enough to forget how much you drive me insane," he hummed, leaning in, his breath warm against her ear. 

"You should sit down," her heart pounded. 

"No. You should listen. Because I won't say this when I'm sober," he shook his head, his forehead nearly resting against hers. 

"Ethan—" she stiffened. 

"You get under my skin," he admitted, his voice raw. "You're reckless and stubborn and you don't listen, and yet…" His fingers skimmed her back, sending shivers down her spine. "I can't stop thinking about you. I hate it. I hate how much I—"

He stopped himself, his jaw tightening. But Violet heard it anyway. Felt it in the way he held her, in the way his eyes darkened with something he wasn't ready to say out loud.

"Ethan, you're drunk," she exhaled shakily. 

"Maybe. But that doesn't mean it's not true," he let out a short laugh. 

Violet swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of what to do. Ethan Sinclair, unshakable, unreadable. Ethan had just let his walls slip. And now? Now she had no idea what that meant for them.

"Alright, boss man, time to get you home before you say something you really regret," Jade walked up, throwing an arm around Ethan. 

Ethan didn't argue. He just glanced at Violet one last time before Jade guided him away.

And Violet? She stood there, heart racing, knowing that everything between them had just changed.

To be continued…